Emancipation is a legal procedure that
declares a minor free from the custody and control of their parents or
guardians before they reach the age of majority. In California, the age of
majority is eighteen. If you become emancipated, you will be able to do certain
things without your parentís consent, such as:

* Live where you choose.

* Sign binding contracts.

* Keep your own earnings.

* Buy, sell, lease, or give away any
interest you have in real or personal

You will need to complete certain forms and
file them with the court. You can get blank forms to fill out from the Family
Law Branch Office of the Court or from the Court Facilitator. The forms you must
fill out are:

* Petition for Declaration of
Emancipation of Minor, Order Prescribing Notice,

Declaration of Emancipation, and Order
Denying Petition
(MC-300).

* Emancipation of Minor-Income and
Expense Declaration (MC-306)

* Notice of Hearing (MC-305)

* Declaration of Emancipation of Minor
After Hearing (MC-310).

FILING FEE OR WAIVER

You will be required to pay a $355.00
filing fee to file your emancipation petition. If you cannot afford to pay the
fee, you can file an application to have the fees waived, including an Application
for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs form and an Order on Application of
Court Fees and Costs forms. Unless waived, you shall pay the filing fee as
specified. The ability or inability to pay the filing fee is not in and of
itself evidence of the status of the degree of financial responsibility of the
minor, as required for emancipation. You are also required to pay a $75.00
investigation fee to Family Court Services before your request will be
evaluated.

DO I HAVE CHOICES OTHER THAN
EMANCIPATION?

Emancipation is only one of several
alternatives available to you if you feel you cannot live with your parents.
You may want to consider other options such as:

vFamily
counseling between you and your parents

vLiving
with another responsible adult like an aunt, uncle, grandparent, or